A Trial of Strength

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 600 by Rob Williams

CHAPTER 600 – "AN ALL-IN-THE-FAMILY LOVE-FEST"

IN THIS CHAPTER

New boy Felipe is confused about love. He's in love with the surfer Jamie, who's in love with the cop Mark, who loves them both. Hard for a new boy to untangle, but Felipe gets lots of advice including playful boy-sex with Jamie. Then Randy, the tribe's rugged gypsy boss, takes Felipe to bed and makes love to him with a mind-blowing fuck that drives away any last shreds of confusion. ___________________________________________________________________

<><> IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER <><>

Felipe, a young immigrant, had endured a nightmarish trek north from Honduras and entered the US illegally. He had been hiding out on the beach in Malibu when he was spotted by blond surfer Jamie. Jamie whisked him off to the tribe which honored its tradition of taking in young men who had fallen on hard times.

Jamie and Felipe became firm friends, even sexually, and Felipe was hired as assistant chef in the tribe's busy kitchen. The co-leader of the tribe, Bob, contacted a friend, Alistair, a top immigration lawyer, who took Felipe's case and applied for a work permit. After a long, agonizing wait, during which he was advised not to go out in public, Felipe got the epic news that his work permit had been approved.

Although overjoyed by the news, Felipe was still haunted by the fears of his nightmarish escape from his country and the cops who had abused him. His friend Jamie was out of town at the time, so Felipe turned to Jamie's lover, the handsome rugged police officer Mark. Ironically, even though Mark was himself a cop, he helped Felipe face his fears by revisiting them.

Felipe's mother, before she died, had told him not to run away from his fears but toward them and defeat them. He told Mark, "I couldn't have done that before, sir, when I was afraid of having to return to those dark days. That thought terrified me. But now I know that won't happen, that I'm safe here, I could re-live those memories and try to banish them."

After surviving treatment by brutal cops, Felipe willingly submitted to Mark in an intense sexual scene where Felipe lay handcuffed to the bed at the mercy of the shirtless, chiseled cop. This time he wanted to please this beautiful cop and his fear dissolved, replaced by sexual desire

When it was over there was still one thing that bothered him. "Sir, will Jamie mind? One thing I've always been afraid of is coming between Jamie and you, sir. Jamie idolizes you, he's always told me that, and I know you're totally in love with him.

"But in the week he's been away I've taken Jamie's place in some ways, being naked and ready on this bed for when you get home, as Jamie's always done. But that's over when Jamie comes back tomorrow. I'm kinda wondering, where do I fit in now? Is there even any room for me?"

"Felipe," Mark smiled, "you don't have to worry about Jamie and me – we have a very special relationship. He's been my boy for so long we don't even call it that anymore. It's not master and boy, it's two guys in love ... partners, fuck buddies, and soulmates. And in a relationship that secure, there's always room for someone else, though I wouldn't put labels on what that is.

"For a long time I've wanted Jamie to have a special friend his own age. Nate has always been his close buddy but that's not what I mean. And I don't mean that I wanted Jamie to have his own boy, like the other senior boys do.

"I mean someone Jamie could love and take care of, like a big brother, a guy who needs the help and guidance of someone bright and self-assured. You're new to this country and need guidance, and Jamie is certainly strong and resolute. And the clincher is, you love each other. But if problems do arise – like envy or disagreements – we have to be honest and talk things through. That's my job, to make sure there are no bad vibes between us.

"There is one thing you can do for me. I'm working a day-shift tomorrow so I won't be here when Jamie returns from that movie publicity tour he's been on with Grady. So, could you take care of him for me till I get home from work? He'll want to celebrate your news."

"Of course I will, sir. The twins have given me the day off from the kitchen after we've cleared breakfast so I can spend time with Jamie." He grinned. "And I'll make sure that when you get home after work tomorrow it'll be Jamie lying naked on the bed waiting for you."

Next morning, after Mark left for his all-day shift, a group of guys had gathered to welcome home Jamie, Nate and Eddie from the publicity tour with their movie-star friend Grady.

When the trio came in there was an enthusiastic, noisy exchange of hugs all round. When Jamie finally broke free he looked round and saw Felipe standing in the background, his face wreathed in smiles. They hugged quietly, kissed lovingly, and Felipe said, "Mark's working, as you know, Jamie, but he asked me to take care of you."

Jamie reached forward and held his hands. "And what about you, buddy? Any news?"

Felipe beamed. "I got it Jamie. My work permit came through, thanks to Bob and Alistair. I can stay here with you all, Jamie. I can stay."

Jamie's eyes brimmed with tears and he flung his arms round him again. "I'm so happy for you, buddy. Happy for us. Hey, that means you can go out of the house at last, now you're legal. Have you been out anywhere yet?"

"Not yet, Jamie. I was waiting for you."

"Then I'm gonna take you out for the best lunch in town. Dude, we have so much to talk about."

========= CHAPTER 600 =========

<><> JAMIE'S LUNDRY <><>

Jamie and Felipe stood in the background, with Jamie's arm over his friend's shoulder, smiling at the raucous hugs and greetings going on around them.

The reason for the excitement was that the "glamor guys" were home – at least, that's what the tribe's boss Randy called them. Jamie, Nate and Eddie had all been working on their buddy Grady's latest big-budget movie, this one starring Grady as a lifeguard captain.

Jamie and Nate were expert surfers and supervised all the surfing extras in the many complex beach scenes on location in Malibu. As for young Eddie, he had proven himself to be a talented cameraman, an expert at taking still pictures and videos of Grady.

All three had been backing up Grady on a grueling one-week national publicity tour, along with Grady's personal manager (and lover) Mario. The glamor part was flying in the studio's private jet, with limousines and luxury hotels, and all the flash bulbs. The less than glamorous part was that the schedule of multi-city public appearances had been exhausting, especially for movie-star Grady, the center of attention.

Eddie, affectionately known as `motor-mouth Eddie', gushed, "Guys, Grady is wiped out and the limo dropped him and Mario first at the Grady house before coming here. Now we all have a week off until filming starts again.

"And dudes, I have a zillion pictures and videos of Grady all through the tour, and the studio wants to use them in a behind-the-scenes documentary. So, I gotta get busy in my home studio across the street editing the footage, plus taking care of my Marine Hassan who'll be horny as a stallion in heat. Hate to kiss and run, guys, but duty calls."

Nate had his arms round two excited young office assistants, Vic and Noah, who looked on him as a big brother. "I got an idea for you two that you're gonna love." He took them indoors and the welcoming crowd began to disburse.

Still standing a little apart from the festivities, Jamie and Felipe, smiled coyly at each other. Reunited after a week, they were not quite sure what came next. "Dude," Jamie said, "you wanna come in and talk to me while I unpack?" He picked up his heavy backpack, Felipe picked up his other bag and followed him into the large ground-floor apartment that Jamie shared with his lover, the hunky cop Mark.

Felipe got lemonade from the fridge and they sat down on the couch together. "You must be tired," Felipe said.

"Not really, not now. You'd be surprised how much easier it is to be flying in a private jet, limousines everywhere, pampered all the way. The tour was tough though, especially for Grady, but now it's over we can relax and breathe a sigh of relief. And the icing on the cake was coming home to your great news. Wow, that opens up a whole new life for you buddy."

"I know. Bob's friend Alistair explained that it's what they call a restricted permit for now. As Bob and the company sponsored me, I can't work anywhere else than here."

"And who would want to work anywhere else, eh buddy?"

"That's exactly what I told Bob and Alistair. Even when he gets me a general permit and I eventually become a permanent resident, I still wouldn't dream of changing jobs and leaving the guys and ... and you Jamie."

There was a short silence as that last remark sank in, with all its unknown implications. Then Jamie grinned, "So we're gonna celebrate, kiddo. I'm gonna take you for a drive round my city, which from now on is your city too. And we'll end up at some really nice place for lunch. But first, I need to take a quick shower. Won't be long."

"Er, can I unpack your bags for you while you're showering?"

"You don't have to do that, dude. You're not my boy, you're my buddy."

"And a buddy can't help a buddy unpack?" Felipe grinned.

Jamie laughed. "Sure, if you want to. The dirty clothes are in the small backpack, they go in the basket over there. Most of the hotels did laundry for us so the stuff in the big bag is all clean."

Jamie drained his lemonade and went to the bathroom. Felipe started with the small bag and emptied the dirty clothes on the floor – shirts, shorts, socks, underwear. Just touching it gave Felipe a hardon. He picked up a T-shirt that smelled of sweat, sniffed the armpits and breathed in the essence of his surfer-jock friend. Next he held a pair of jockey shorts to his nose, and stroked the bulge in his own shorts.

Suddenly embarrassed, Felipe blushed deeply and dropped the clothes. He scooped up the bundle and dropped it all in the laundry basket. Then he opened the other backpack and pulled out the clothes that had been washed and folded by hotel staff. He put them away in a chest of drawers – shirts with shirts, and shorts and socks in the other drawers.

It all gave him a comfortable sense of achievement and Jamie's words came back to him – you're not my boy, you're my buddy. Part of him wanted to be Jamie's boy, taking care of him, washing his clothes. But he knew they were more than that – as Mark had said about his own relationship with Jamie, "We're two guys in love ... friends, fuck buddies, and soulmates".

"Well maybe not soulmates, that took time. Friends, certainly, and fuck-buddies? They had fucked already, of course, and ... he felt his cock growing stiff in his shorts. He was trying to hide it when Jamie walked in, butt naked, drying his tousled blond hair.

"Oh." Taken by surprise Felipe quickly turned his back to Jamie and pretended to fiddle with the empty backpacks. He stammered, "Your, er, your clothes are all put away, Jamie."

"Dude," Jamie grinned, "turn around."

"Jamie, I ..." He turned round, blushing red and there was no disguising the bulge in his shorts.

Jamie chuckled. "Been sniffing my dirty shorts, eh?"

"No of course not ..." Felipe stopped, with a bashful grin. "How did you know?"

"'Cos I do the same when I do Mark's laundry. And when he catches me doing it, he fucks me."

"And seeing you naked like that doesn't help, dude," Felipe said. "Stiffer than ever." They stared at each other, burst out laughing and pulled each other into an affectionate hug. When they pulled apart Jamie pointed down to his own boner.

"Can't let this go to waste, buddy." Jamie laughed. "Three hours on a private jet might not be the same boner-builder as Mark's eight hours on a motorcycle, but it sure gave me a hard-on. Or maybe it was seeing you again, gorgeous. OK, so before we do that drive-and-dine thing, there's other ways to celebrate your good news. Only trouble is, you still got your clothes on."

"Soon take care of that," Felipe grinned, yanking off his shirt and dropping his shorts.

<><> JAMIE & FELIPE CELEBRATE <><>

The two horny friends hugged again and fell naked on the bed in a frenzy of tangled limbs and hungry kisses. They laughed, rolling over and over, not sure who would wind up on top. It happened to be Felipe, and Jamie's blue eyes smiled up at it him. "Go for it, dude. I'm sure you got fucked plenty by Mark when I was gone, so it's your turn now."

Felipe hesitated, but only for a second. As he gazed down at the ripped blond athlete he felt a new sense of freedom. Previously he had felt unsure about everything, and even his love-making was tentative. But now he knew exactly what he wanted – Jamie's ass.

He reached over to the jar of lube by the bed and spread a generous amount on his cock. He was kneeling astride Jamie's chest, and now shuffled back behind his butt. Jamie pulled his legs back, much as he did every day for Mark, and Felipe looked down at his ass, covered in a downy fuzz of blond hair. He leaned forward between his legs and pressed his palms lightly on Jamie's pecs.

Jamie flinched when he felt his friend's cock enter him, but then sighed deeply. "Mmm ... friends and fuck-buddies, right?"

"Right," Felipe smiled, and began a slow, caressing fuck.

Used to the cop's more forceful attack on his ass, Jamie loved the velvet tenderness of Felipe's cock massaging his butt. He stared up at the dark Hispanic features and deep brown eyes, and felt his heart leap, felt a connection with this new friend that was different from his powerful love for Mark, different from anything he had experienced before.

Felipe felt it too, though it was too deep for him to understand, so he just let it consume him. He bent down and kissed Jamie, a soft, tender kiss that again sent a shudder down Jamie's spine. "Amazing, ain't it?" Jamie smiled when their mouths parted.

"Awesome," Felipe agreed. Their smiles turned to laughter and Felipe fell on top of his friend. Jamie eased Felipe off him, his cock sliding out of his ass, and their joy overflowed as, once again, they rolled over and over on the bed in each other's arms.

This time Jamie ended on top and slid his cock inside his buddy. They kissed, licked, laughed and fucked, first one on top, then the other, in a spirited flip-fuck of two eager young friends. They changed position constantly, kissing, groping, fucking each other in every position and laughing merrily all the time.

Finally Felipe lay flat on Jamie, panting hard, their cocks squeezed together between their stomachs. Their bodies slid against each other, chest to chest, abs against abs, grinding their cocks against each other. Jamie reached up, curled his hand behind Felipe's head and pulled his face down in another churning kiss. But Felipe soon pulled back and panted, "I think I'm gonna cum, Jamie. I can't hold it back."

"Me neither, buddy, it feels so good. Let's just do it."

Their bodies pressed harder together, hearts thumping against each other. Their faces inches apart, they were lost in each other's sparkling eyes ... and they climaxed together. Their cocks spurted warm juice up between their bodies that slid against each other as they kissed.

At last, they rolled to the side and lay quietly in each other arms.

"Welcome home, Jamie," Felipe murmured.

"Welcome to the family, buddy," Jamie smiled.

<><> A TOAST TO HAPPINESS <><>

Jamie grabbed the damp towel he had dropped after his shower, and wiped Felipe's chest and abs, then his own. "OK, kiddo, at last it's time for you to meet the outside world – like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. I want to show you my favorite city."

They tidied the room and remade the bed. Felipe realized they were getting it ready for when Mark got home from work to find his naked blond surfer waiting for him – the same Jamie who had just made love to him on this same bed. But he pushed that thought from his mind and concentrated on the trip ahead.

His excitement mounted as he got into Jamie's SUV and they drove through the gate – to freedom, he thought of it. Not freedom from the house and friends he loved, but freedom at last to explore his new city.

Jamie loved the idea of introducing his friend to a whole new city and a whole new world. He reached over and squeezed Felipe's hand on the armrest. "We're gonna take the scenic route, buddy. I'll take you straight up to the Hollywood Hills and we'll go all the way along Mulholland Drive which runs along the spine of the Santa Monica Mountains. Then we'll take Topanga Canyon, one of my favorite places, down to the beach.

Felipe was dazzled as they drove along Mulholland. "From here," Jamie said, "you can see everything. On the left you have a panoramic view of the city all the way to the ocean, glinting there on the horizon. And on the right, a view over the Valley to the San Gabriel Mountains."

When Felipe turned to face left toward the city view Jamie's profile was right there, concentrating on the road with a proud smile. Felipe leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and the smile widened.

As they drove, Felipe asked Jamie questions about the movie promotional tour he had just returned from, and he listened mesmerized to details of the glamorous world that was totally foreign to him. To him, the glamor rubbed off on Jamie, whom he thought of almost as a movie star himself.

"A bit further on," Jamie said, "we come to the house of Doc Steve and his lover, the company's architect Lloyd. You've met Steve, the tribe's shrink and Randy's brother, but you haven't seen his house, it's quite a spread. We should drop in so you can take a look."

Jamie soon pulled into the driveway of a large house and pressed the gate intercom. The camera swung to face the car and Tommy's excited voice said, `Jamie, and Felipe. Come in."

They gate swung open, they went down the long drive and Tommy, the young house manager, met them at the door. "Felipe, congratulations ... terrific news, it's all over the grapevine. And I guess this is your tour of your new city." Tommy wrapped him in a warm hug.

Jamie said, "We can't stay long, Tommy, we're off to lunch at the beach. I just wanted Felipe to see the views from your house."

"Of course. Steve is with a patient right now and Lloyd is down at the construction site meeting with Randy. Come with me, I'll give you the tour." For half an hour Tommy proudly showed them around the opulent house, then outside for the breathtaking views over the hills. When at last it was time to leave Tommy said, "You two go well together, a great couple. Be sure to come visit again soon."

When they were back on the road, Jamie said, "Tommy used to be an ice-skater, then a gymnast and his perfect butt is legendary. Whenever Randy comes here that ass is like a homing device, and fucking him is the first order of business. Tommy's lover is Grady's chef Danny, whom you've met, so it can get a bit complicated, like many of the relationships here."

Felipe laughed at the homing-device gag, but that comment about relationships hung in the air.

Felipe was enchanted by the winding rustic Topanga Canyon until suddenly, at the bottom, there was a sharp bend in the road ... and there was the ocean, glinting in the sunlight.

Jamie turned right onto Pacific Coast Highway and again squeezed Felipe's hand. "Dude, I'm taking us to Paradise Cove, which is a few miles north of here ... all the way through Malibu." He felt Felipe flinch. "I know, Felipe, you have bad memories of Malibu, but I thought it would be good to visit it as a free man rather than a homeless migrant, hiding scared and alone."

"You're right, Jamie. It's like I told Mark, now that I feel more secure it's best if I face my fears and banish my demons, as he called it. And he sure helped me do that, big time. So I'm not scared of Malibu anymore. In fact, it has one of my best memories, Jamie ... it's where I saw you for the first time, and you became my friend. You changed my life that day, Jamie."

Felipe found that the trauma of living rough on the Malibu beach no longer troubled him as they drove past sights he recognized from those dismal fugitive days. And soon they were pulling into the parking lot of the Paradise Cove Beach Café.

They were seated at a table on the beach under a big straw umbrella and ordered the mixed grilled seafood, with a bottle of Chablis. Felipe looked down the broad expanse of beach and sighed, "It's so beautiful here, Jamie. I think maybe this is the happiest I've ever been."

"It makes me happy to hear that, buddy. Let's drink to happiness." He filled Felipe's glass and half-filled his own, and they clinked glasses. "I can only have half a glass," Jamie said. "Mark is very strict about drinking and driving."

"Does he give you many orders, Jamie, him being a cop and all?"

"No, he always wants me to be my own man. That's why he stopped calling me his boy. But when it comes to my safety he gets very protective and lays down the law." Jamie took a sip of wine and smiled quizzically at Felipe. "Dude, when you said back there that Mark helped you banish your demons in a big way ... what did you mean?"

Felipe blushed a little as he searched for the right words. "Jamie, I'm glad you asked me that because there was something I need to tell you. I was trying to find the right moment."

"Ooh, deep dark secrets," Jamie chuckled, "the best kind."

"Not really a secret, Jamie, and certainly not deep and dark. But Mark said things must be all out in the open between us. So I want to tell you exactly what happened, `cos things got more intense than either of us expected. You know last evening I took your place when Mark came home horny and expected me to be naked, waiting for him."

"Sure, kiddo," Jamie smiled, "I know that daily drill very well."

"See, Jamie, I had only recently got the news of my work permit and I felt free to talk about the fears I encountered on my long trek north, especially the brutal cops. Mark said the best way to confront those fears was to re-live them. So, he played the role of bad cop."

Felipe described how Mark had forced him to suck his cock, then handcuffed him to the bed and threatened him with his belt. But instead he reamed his ass, fiercely at first, but then lovingly – bad cop to good cop, trading one brutal world for a caring one.

Felipe smiled. "He took me on a wild fantasy, said he would keep me captive, chained to a basement wall as his fuck slave. He told me how he had played out that fantasy with you in Hassan's little house way out in the desert."

"Oh, he told you about that, did he?"

Felipe caught something in Jamie's voice and said, "You don't mind, do you, Jamie? That's my point of telling you all this because, as I said to Mark, the last thing I want is to come between you two in any way. For the past week I've been like a substitute for you with Mark, getting fucked by him and all, but now you're back that's over, and I wondered where I fit in now."

"And what did he say, buddy?"

"He told me not to worry, `cos you and he are rock solid – partners, friends, and soulmates – and there's room for someone else. He's always wanted you to be like a big brother to someone who needs a guiding hand – someone like me who's new to everything. And, er, he said the clincher was that we love each other."

"And do you agree with all that?"

"I do love you, Jamie, I'm sure of that now, especially after today – making love to you, then this gorgeous drive, Tommy treating us like a couple, and now sitting here in this beautiful place with you. As for the rest, I trust Mark to know best, of course, and if it's OK with him it is for me too."

"There was still a small frown on his face and Jamie smiled, "But... I hear a `but' coming on ..."

Felipe smiled. "You're starting to know me too well Jamie. It's just ... just the difference between us, Jamie ... Mark even hinted at it. I mean, look, you have everything going for you. You're gorgeous, loved by a gorgeous cop, successful, with a sensational career in the movies. I loved listening to your stories of the publicity tour. You were treated like a movie star.

"By comparison, the only story I have to tell is my tale of woe about escaping to this country. I had the enormous luck to meet you, and now I'm a junior, junior chef. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and the chefs I work with, but that's all I am, Jamie. Sitting here with you right now I've never been happier in my life – but where does it go from here?"

"Felipe," Jamie smiled. "Sounds to me you are scared by happiness. I've been there too, buddy. When I first became Mark's boy I could never believe it would last. I had been a total loser, running wild on the streets, and I found myself sharing the bed of this beautiful man. I knew happiness like that couldn't last ... and here I am, years later, telling a young guy I love that it can last – happiness is not doomed to failure.

"Look, kiddo, I'm not into a lot of the new-age claptrap you hear these days, but I remember when one guru was droning on, one thing caught my attention. He said, If you remember only one word of all this, that should be relax'. That's what I've tried to do, and what I'd advise you to do, Felipe. Relax ... see where this goes. We'll take it one step at a time and have fun on the journey. That sound like a good idea?"

"Sounds good to me, dude," Felipe grinned. "Let's give it a try."

<><> FELIPE AT A LOOSE END <><>

After lunch they went for a leisurely stroll all the way along the beach, a far cry from the furtive scurrying the fugitive Felipe did back when he first met Jamie. The light breeze cooling their faces felt like the wind of freedom to Felipe and he threw his arm over his friend's shoulder.

Jamie steered the conversation away from life's complications and talked about Felipe's work in the kitchen. He loved the enthusiastic way Felipe talked about their schedules, their menu choices, and the special dishes they cooked for Randy, who was "more a `meat and potatoes' guy than a gourmet," Felipe laughed.

At the end of the beach Jamie looked at his watch. "Hey, dude, it's way past three o'clock and Mark gets home at five, sometimes earlier. I gotta get back." Felipe noticed fleetingly that Jamie had said I', not we'.

They jogged back along the beach to the car and Jamie said, "We'll take Malibu Canyon over the hill all the way to the 101 Freeway. That'll get us back quicker all the way across town."

Malibu Canyon was a winding scenic road but Felipe had the impression that Jamie was focused not on scenery but on getting back to the house on time for Mark. Felipe understood the haste. During the past week of Jamie's absence, Felipe himself had made sure to be waiting for Mark when he got home from work.

There was heavy traffic on the freeway and it was way past four-thirty when they got back to the compound. "Good, he's still not back," said Jamie, noting the absence of Mark's truck. But I better get inside pronto. He threw his arms round Felipe, who said, "Thanks for a wonderful day, Jamie. The drive, the meal, the beach, it was all perfect."

"I had fun too. I loved being with you, dude. OK, see you at dinner." He kissed Felipe on the cheek and ran quickly into his apartment.

Suddenly Felipe found himself alone in the middle of the lawn. It seemed strange after being close to Jamie all day – bewildering even. He looked around and caught sight of Brandon waving to him from the office window. Felipe smiled and went into the office.

"Hey, Felipe, how was the grand tour?"

"It was awesome, Brandon. I never knew L.A. was so ... rural. I mean, those winding canyons roads, like being deep in the country."

"And how's it going with Mark and Jamie? I guess your week with Mark, as stand-in for Jamie, is over now Jamie's back."

"Yeah, but Jamie and I had a terrific day. Making love with him is awesome."

Noah chimed in, "And talking of the cop, there he goes now, straight home from work and into his apartment where Jamie's waiting for him as per usual. First time they've seen each other for a week so I bet Jamie's getting it good."

Noticing Felipe flinch, Brandon quickly changed the subject. "So, you've got the rest of the day off, Felipe. Any plans?"

"I, er, hadn't really thought that far. Guess I'll check in with my pals in the kitchen then kick back in my room for a while."

When he left the office he stood in the middle of the lawn again, and that feeling of confusion returned. He looked at the ground floor apartment and imagined what was going on inside. That was an easy guess ... they were making love, just as Mark had fucked Felipe all those times in the past week. He had once jerked off watching the cop and his surfer fuck, and now, for just a second, he wondered if he should go in and watch them – maybe even join in.

But he dismissed that idea as soon as it entered his mind. As Brandon had said, it was at least a week since they'd seen each other so they obviously wanted to spend some time together now. But they had both said they loved him so, maybe ... he frowned ... this was complicated.

He supposed he should go to his room in Will's apartment over the kitchen but he knew he would only lie on his bed and jack off thinking about Jamie and Mark making love.

His troubled thoughts cleared the minute he walked into the kitchen and was greeted enthusiastically by the twins and Will. "Hey chef," Kyle grinned, "how's your day going with Jamie? Where did he take you?"

It felt as if the sun had suddenly come out on a cloudy day and he flashed a smile. He launched into a description of making love to Jamie, then the long drive along Mulholland, their brief visit with Tommy, then going all the way down the canyon to Paradise cove for lunch on the beach.

Kevin asked, "How was it going through Malibu again? Still have a few lingering fears?"

"No, I was surprised. But being with Jamie and knowing I was safe and legal, it looked like a whole different place from those dark days. Then on the way home Jamie was excited about reuniting with Mark after a whole week. He's there with him now, actually."

"Well of course he is," Kyle laughed, "and likely to spend most of the evening with him. Those two have a lot of calories to burn off. So where you off to next, dude?"

"Oh, I was thinking of going up to ..." He stopped, then said impulsively. "Guys, I know you gave me the rest of the day off, but, like, would it be OK if I stayed and helped you with dinner?"

The brothers glanced at each other, one of those fleeting glances that had a world of meaning for the close, identical twins. Kevin said, "Of course, you can, dude. Matter of fact, we could use the help. Kyle and I were gonna skip our break, but we could certainly leave you and Will together for half an hour of so."

Eagerly Felipe took his apron down off its hook and put it on, followed by his chef's hat. The twins left and Will told Felipe where they were at in the dinner prep. They divided the tasks and chatted amiably as they worked.

Never one to mince his words, Will said, as he speedily chopped vegetables, "So what's really up, buddy? You told us this afternoon was one of the happiest times in your life, and yet here you are moping around aimlessly, like a lost lamb."

"You're right, Will, aimless is exactly the word ..."

He trailed off and Will chuckled. "OK, let me guess. All week you've been having sex with Mark. Then you spent today with Jamie, making love and driving through paradise, getting closer to him than ever before. You're in love with him, of course, and you love Mark. In a way you feel like Mark's boy and Jamie's brother, two men who are totally in love with each other.

"Even as we speak they are making wild passionate love, which leaves you ... where? Wandering around taking refuge in work with your kitchen pals. How am I doing so far, kiddo?"

Felipe chuckled. "Pretty much on target, Will. You explain it better than I could. You sound as if you've been there yourself."

"Sure I have ... I've been there, still am, and probably always will be. My life was even more complicated than yours. When I was younger I lived with my dad, Seth, but he was abusive, even sexually, trying to force himself on me. So I ran away from home and lived alone until I met the twins and they asked me to become their assistant chef.

"My dad came looking for me and tried to take me back, but Randy showed up and beat the crap out of him in one of those mammoth slug-fests he's known for. But Randy's deeper than you think. He saw something in Seth, admired his strength as a fighter, and gave him a job, and he's now one of the construction managers.

"He lives in that little house next door and I got to like him, love him even, and we love sleeping together. It's amazing how the tribe can do that to a man. Many of the men and boys here started out as lost and lonely, from the wrong side of the tracks, and the tribe transformed them.

"But, and here's the `but', it can all be very confusing. In my case, I am the twins' boy and often sleep with them. I'm also in love with my step-dad Seth and sleep with him. And I love Bob – like everyone does – and I'm in love with the twins. And Bob is in love with the twins. Sound familiar? Did you mention any of your feelings to Mark and Jamie?"

"Oh sure, I did. Mark told me not to worry, `cos he and Jamie was so rock slid there was room for me in their relationship. Jamie told me to relax and just see where it all goes. Take it one step at a time and enjoy the journey."

"That's kind've what I would say. It's what I've learned to do, and the most important part is to enjoy the journey. I'm having a blast. Take tonight for example. Bob wants to spend the night with his twins, so I'll be sleeping with Seth. I can't wait – I love his big brawny arms round me.

"My only advice to you is, be sure to give Mark and Jamie their space. Like tonight. They'll prob'ly want to be alone tonight, making love, Jamie telling Mark all about his week of walking the red carpet with Grady and the others. Don't worry, it's just one night. You have tons of time ahead of you to have fun with Jamie, and with both of them."

The two boys lapsed into silence as they worked, each one running over in his mind what they had just been talking about. In a while the twins came back.

"My," Kyle said, "you guys have been busy, made a whole lot of progress. We've been talking to Bob, and Randy was there too – he's home already to go over some figures with Bob. He said he might drop in here too. He often does that, Felipe, said he likes watching us boys work ... and to scrounge a drink of his favorite Scotch that Will has stashed away for him."

<><> A SLUG OF JOHNNY WALKER <><>

Randy came in sooner than they expected. Bob had obviously made him change into clean jeans and T-shirt before he came down to the kitchen.

"Hey, kids, don't let me interrupt you ... just came to see how things are going in here. Wanna see y'all work that magic that produces those epic meals."

"It takes a little bit more than just waving a magic wand, sir," Will grinned.

"No kidding," Randy said in mock surprise. "I thought that's all there was too it." He pulled Will's hat off, ruffled his red hair and jammed the hat back on. "Hey, Red, I really came in here for two things. One was to see that cute freckled face of yours ..." he kissed his cheek ...

Will chuckled, "And would the other be to get a hit of that Johnnie Walker Gold Label, sir?"

"How'd you guess that, Red? You psychic or something?"

"No need, sir ... we chefs can read you like an open book. OK, Johnnie Walker coming right up."

The twins smiled, always enjoying this affectionate banter between Randy and the redhead. Will reached up high to a remote cupboard and took down the bottle. He poured a glass and Randy took a swig. "Ah, better than sex, that is ... well, almost. Talking of which it seems I've been stood up by my man tonight. Seems Bob prefers to sleep with you twins, eh?"

"Sir," Kyle said, "you know very well that Bob likes to sleep with us at least once a week. We are his boys, after all, and we know how to treat a man."

"And before you look at me, sir," Will said, "I'm spending the night with Seth."

Randy frowned and looked around, then shot a seductive smile at Felipe. "And I suppose you, young Phil, are sleeping with Jamie or Mark, or both."

"No sir, they need their space tonight. Jamie just got back after a week away, so him and Mark are, er ..."

"The words you're looking for, kiddo, are getting reacquainted', loosely translated as fucking their brains out'. Which means this is my lucky night. I've been jilted by my lover Bob, you've been jilted by your roommate Will here. So how about we lick our wounds together, kiddo, or lick something?"

"You mean ...?"

"I mean, I'll be all alone in that huge bed, jacking off thinking about you all alone in your bed. But we can't have that, so you're gonna come and bunk in with me, kid. Unless you don't want to, of course. I guess I'll survive."

"No, sir ... I mean yes, sir. If nobody else objects ..."

"Kid this is me. Anyone else objects I'll slug `em. Simple as that."

"OK, sir, I'd really like that."

The twins and Will smiled at each other. They knew this was all a charade Randy was playing out. In fact, the twins had been upstairs telling Bob their concerns about Felipe, and Randy had immediately come up with this plan. Of course, he couldn't come right out with it – had to tease Felipe a little.

"Terrific, so it's a date. Oh, and Red, can you smuggle that bottle out to me at dinner? God forbid anyone should get his hands on it and mix it with soda, or use it for cooking ... ugh."

<><> RANDY SORTS FELIPE OUT <><>

Mark and Jamie were, not unexpectedly, late for dinner. The chefs had already taken their bow and Felipe was sitting at table when they came out with that unmistakable glow of getting reacquainted' or, in Randy's more colorful words, fucking their brains out'. They sat on either side of Felipe and kissed him. And although they included him in their conversation, it was clear to Felipe that they couldn't wait to get their hands on each other again after dinner.

Bob and Randy were aware of the dynamic too, and exchanged glances. When Felipe looked across at Randy he was rewarded with that gleaming smile, set in the dark gypsy features, that made his dick hard in his shorts. Randy filled two shot glasses with his special Scotch and pushed one across the table to Felipe, a sure sign to anyone watching (and everyone was) that Randy really liked this kid.

Felipe had already been introduced to sex with Randy shortly after he arrived in the tribe. Randy had taken him through a gym workout and, according to custom, had initiated the boy by fucking his ass, a thrill that Felipe had never forgotten. The prospect of that happening again later tonight drove all his uneasiness about Jamie and Mark from his mind.

Nevertheless, later, after the chefs had cleared away after dinner and Mark and Jamie had disappeared again into their apartment, Felipe felt some nervousness. In the small apartment he shared with Will they had both taken a shower and Will got dressed for Seth. Felipe asked him, "What do you think I should wear for Randy, Will?"

Will laughed. "Don't make a scrap of difference to Randy, kiddo, you know how little he cares about clothes. And anyway, whatever you wear, he'll have it off you in no time. Not scared are you?"

"A bit," Felipe said, "but I really do love Randy, Will."

"Dude, you know very well that under that tough rigged shell Randy is like marshmallow when it comes to the boys, especially the ones he has special feelings for, like you. He always talks about your courage in making that dangerous trek to get to this country. He admires that and has a real soft spot for you. Tell you what ... wear your regular cargo shorts and that pale blue polo shirt you look so cute in. That'll do the trick – go have a blast, kid."

Will kissed him on the cheek and went off to his stepdad Seth next door.

Felipe could already hear that Bob had arrived at the twins apartment next door, and he slipped out quietly and made his way across the garden to the Boss House. He went up to the master bedroom and his heart was pounding as he knocked at the door.

"The familiar gruff voice shouted "Come in!" Randy was in his underwear – T-shirt and boxer shorts – sitting at Bob's desk staring blankly at a laptop. He slammed the lid shut and frowned at Felipe. "Can't make head or tail of these figures Bob told me to look at. But I don't want him to think I'm a total klutz, so I'll ask young Ryan tomorrow. He explains stuff to me real good."

Randy stood up and flashed a smile at Felipe. "Welcome, kiddo. Hey, you're looking extra sexy in that blue shirt. Come here."

"He opened his arms and Felipe walked forward into a muscular man-hug. He was always surprised by Randy's strength as he squeezed the breath out of him. "Come and have a nightcap with me, eh? You drink brandy?"

"Yes please, sir," Felipe said weakly, still recovering his breath.

Randy sensed his shyness and said, "Now listen dude, there's no need to be nervous. It's just you and me here, and you know I'll never do anything to hurt you." He pulled Felipe down beside him on a couch, in front of a low table with a brandy bottle and two glasses. He poured the drinks and raised his glass. "To us, eh?"

Felipe smiled at last. "To us, sir." They clinked glasses and Randy stretched his arm along the back of the couch behind Felipe's head. Felipe noticed a patch of sweat on the T-shirt under his arm, and the faint musky smell made his dick hard again.

Randy heaved a contented sigh. "Mmm, you kitchen guys always make sure we have the best brandy up here. Slides down your throat like a well-lubed ... oops, enough with the sexual imagery, as Bob would say." That made Felipe laugh – and take another sip of brandy.

"So, Phil, how's it feel to be legal and one of us permanently after Bob worked his magic with his pal Alistair?"

"It's so good, sir, I can still hardly believe it. I'm so grateful to Bob, sir."

"Yeah, he is kind of a magical guy, ain't he? And you owe a lot to Jamie too for discovering you. How's that going, by the way, your thing with him and Mark?"

"That's something else I can't hardly believe. I mean, I'm in love with Jamie, and I love Mark, and he loves Jamie, but it's different from the way he loves me, and Jamie's different too ..."

"Whoa, hold your horses, cowboy, you're losing me here. You and me kinda talked about all this before, when I gave you your first workout in the gym, then fucked you. You asked me then if a guy can be in love with two people at once;"

"Yes, sir, and I remember what you said ... that all relationships in the tribe are different but, when it comes right down to it, the love the guys feel for each other is the same thing deep down. You said that love is love ... it just dresses up differently."

"Yeah I remember that. So does that help you now?"

Felipe frowned. "Well, yes and no, sir. I mean, I'm happy that my friend Jamie is in love with Mark, but ... well, like, I keep wondering what they're doing right now."

"Prob'ly fucking. No mystery there, kiddo."

"It's not that I'm unhappy, sir. Far from it. I've never been happier in my life. I'm so happy that it scares me. That's what Jamie told me ... that I'm scared by happiness." Felipe frowned again. "Can you understand that, sir?"

"Hell yeah. I've been there, kiddo. When I first met Bob I felt something so strong, something I'd never felt before. Didn't know it at the time, but I had fallen in love. And it scared the shit out of me. I was terrified the feeling would go away, that Bob would go away. Why the hell would a classy business executive from Marin County stick around with a sweaty construction worker? So, I treated him rough and tied him up – bit like a caveman dragging his mate into his cave..

"It's better now, of course, but the fear never really goes away. Like when I fuck up, which I do a lot, my first thought is that Bob will be so pissed off he'll leave me."

"Oh, he would never do that, sir."

"I know, that's what everyone tells me, but still, when I look over at him sleeping beside me he's so fucking beautiful that the old fear grips me again.

"But I tell you, something, kid. You mentioned to someone that before your mom died she told you never to run away from your fears but toward them. Well, the same applies to the opposite of fear – happiness. So I'm telling you now, dude – when you find happiness, don't run away from it, run toward it. Throw your arms round it and don't let go."

Felipe looked at Randy's face and kissed his cheek, then snuggled up against his neck.

"One last thing, kid. Whatever happens to you, whoever you love, or don't love, you're a member of this big rambunctious family. There's a whole lotta sex goes on here, so get used to it. Only rule I have is never fuck outside the tribe."

"Why would we, sir, with all the hot guys around here?"

"That's what I always say. And as I'm the boss of the family, it's my job to make sure that nothing bad happens to the boys. Dude, even before you were legal here, I was never gonna let anyone take you away from us ... I mean anyone. If the Pope himself stormed in here with an army you'd be safe. OK, I know, Popes don't do shit like that, but you get my meaning."

"Loud and clear, sir. Thank you."

"Right, one last sip of this primo brandy and I'm gonna take you to bed. You did know I was gonna fuck that cute ass, didn't you?"

"I was hoping you would, sir." He grinned, "I think that when I came here I was running toward my happiness."

"You better believe it, kid."

<><> A NEW KIND OF LOVING <><>

Randy got to his feet, picked Felipe up in his arms and carried him to the bed. He laid him gently down on this back, pulled off his sneakers, then his shorts and the blue shirt he found so sexy. He smiled down at him. "I love looking down at Bob like that, naked, waiting. At that point no one could stop me fucking him, not the Pope himself."

Felipe grinned, "But like you said, sir, Popes don't do shit like that."

"Hey watch it, buster. A kid gets cheeky like that, he's sure as hell gonna get his butt creamed. Last time we used lube, but not this time."

Felipe watched mesmerized as Randy pulled off his T-shirt and dropped his shorts. His cock sprang out, long and thick, and Randy spat in his palm and wrapped his wet hand round it. "That's it for lube, kid. You ready?"

Staring up at the swarthy muscled gypsy Felipe stammered, "I, I think so, sir."

"OK, let's make sure, take it for a test-drive." He knelt on the bed, spat in his other hand and pushed his wet fingers gently in the boy's hole. "Feels good to me," Randy smiled. "You?"

"Yes please, sir." Felipe's own cock was standing up like a pole. "I'm ready sir."

"OK, now look into my eyes and there'll be no pain, only pleasure."

Felipe stared up at the hypnotic laser-blue eyes set in the chiseled gypsy face, his shaggy black hair hanging over his brow. He knew he was falling under the gypsy's spell, as he had before ... and he loved it.

Randy was right. He felt no pain when the monster cock pressed against his butt, paused, then slid slowly inside. When Randy saw the boy wince slightly he stopped, smiled, then eased in deeper ... and deeper. He was taking the boy into his own world, a world colored by the joy of all the men and boys he had made love to before.

Felipe felt that same joy wash over him as the thick shaft pulled slowly back and pushed in deep again. Randy smiled, "I hear Mark made you his prisoner, cuffed you to the bed."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I've captured you too, kiddo, but I don't need handcuffs. I just do this ..." He leaned forward and Felipe felt the big hands wrap round his wrists and pin them to the bed.

"Now you're mine, boy, all mine. You know I can rip a man's ass wide open if I want to. I can be a savage to a man I don't like. But I do like you, kid. In fact I love you ... in my way. You know we said there's all kinds of love. This is my kind for you, buddy. You like it?"

"I love it, sir, a whole new kind of happy."

"And one that won't go away. See, I always get what I want, dude. I work with tough macho guys all day, and now what I want is to make love to a sweet kid for a long, long time. All you have to do is look at me, love me ... and not bust your load, not till I say you can. You ready for the long haul?"

"Yes please, sir. As long as you like."

Time stood still, Felipe lost all track as he surrendered himself to the powerful King of the Gypsies as everyone called him. Sometimes he did close his eyes and just floated in space. But each time he opened them again he was looking up at the dark smiling face with its stubbled jaw, swarthy features, and blue eyes.

As the minutes ticked by Felipe drifted into a kind of ecstasy he had never experienced before. The events of the last few days melted together, and when the climax came it was almost an anti-climax, just part of the total happiness that washed over him. Felipe's body jolted as he felt Randy's cock bulge and pour jizz inside him, while cum spurted from his own cock in a hands-free orgasm.

Randy slowly pulled out of him and lay on his side beside him, propped on his elbow, smiling down at him. In a daze Felipe said, "Now I understand, sir, what you and everyone else have been telling me. When you were making love to me I closed my eyes and thought of the other couples making love at the same time – Mark and Jamie, Bob and the twins, Will and Seth, Brandon and Pete, and all the other guys of the tribe.

"And it's just as you said. No matter their differences, the happiness they all felt, the love they felt for each other, was the same, all over the tribe. It doesn't exclude anyone, it's all over the place, what holds the tribe together. And that's what I'm in love with ... I fell in love with the tribe, sir."

Randy laughed. "I knew you'd get it, kiddo. Everyone else feels the same, though they might not express it as elegantly as you with that posh English accent.

"When Bob and I met eleven years ago, we didn't realize we had fallen in love – but we soon felt that special kind of happiness – it kept us together all this time, for better or worse, richer or poorer. And we could never have dreamed that more than ten years later there'd be a whole family of guys around us that feel it too.

"Don't get me wrong, we're an independent minded bunch of guys and we have our ups and downs like any family, but like you just said, the love we all feel is the same. We all love each other and that's what holds us together. And after all these years, there's no end in sight ... we'll go on and on and on. And the good news is, kiddo, that you'll always be there with us."

Felipe nestled against him. "And you know what, sir? For the first time, I know for sure that I will."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

TO BE CONTINUED IN "A Trial Of Strength – Chapter 601

Hey guys, this is Rob Williams. I hope that chapter turned you on, and I welcome your comments and suggestions, which can be very helpful in planning future chapters. E-mail me in confidence at rw6789@aol.com.

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